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Discussion of Christianity, the Church, and theology


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John 3:16 KJV: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.


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Hello, I'm a Christian, and I am still learning the Bible, though I consider myself decently knowledgable on its themes and messages. In the last 3 years I have undergone a massive transformation from a useless atheistic tranny into the lover of God I am now, it felt like being awakened to the truth of the universe in totality, like seeing every life at once that all point to the singular truth--that being God at the head of all things. And through my Biblical journey I have come to adore the Lord, I've come to understand the secrets of the heavens and the earth, and I've seen the light at the beginning of the tunnel, only to now know that we live in an age of darkness. The world is dying, degenerating from the natural goodness that God has shown me. I want to devote my life to the Lord, I want to give my life to Him.

But I have recently come to a crossroads of confusion. There are so many countless denominations of the church, each with hundreds upon thousands of people with their own views that differ from my own. I'm unsure if I even have any specific views on worship other than the passion I have for God. And the sheer numbers of pathways overwhelms me. They all deal in the question of what must be done for salvation but in my revelations I have rarely even thought on such things. I fear that I am pursuing the wrong path, there are countless years of history behind the churches, and they all fight one another over what is and isn't true.

It does not help that I have a terrible dislike of other people, I love my family and friends, and I want to love all men as Jesus has taught me to do, but I cannot bring myself to worship in public, not out of shame but out of distrust. This world is a corrupt world and I do not have it in me to trust other people with a topic I view so delicately. I am unsure what you would think of me, but is it impossible to worship the Lord privately? Am I damned for not participating in any of the churches? I apologize if this is a stupid question.

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>>24079 (OP) 
You can worship God in private but it is beneficial to worship with others who are your brothers in Christ:
>Let us hold resolutely to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:23-24

>For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.
Matthew 18:20

Also unless you're an ordained minister how are you going to celebrate communion by yourself?
Jesus left a Church, and gave her the Holy Spirit to guide her. If you are separated as a lone sheep you are easy pickings for the prowler. 
Treat your dislike of other people as a cross, and Jesus said to carry the cross, not evade them.
As to the real church, you may read the Church fathers and see they have the sacraments. St.Ignatious of Antioch which was a direct disciple of the apostle John says: “those who hold heretical opinions about the grace of Jesus Christ … refuse to acknowledge that the Eucharist is the flesh of our savior Jesus Christ, which suffered for our sins and which the Father by his goodness raised up”
So, you should become Catholic and get the sacraments. If there is no Catholicism in your country, be whatever sacramental Christianity is there, Copt, Orthodox, etc. 
And remember this by Paul: '...conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.'
The Church dictates what is truth, the Church dictates what is the correct way to interpret the bible. If you read it by yourself, disregarding how the saints and theologians read it throughout the ages, you'll gain some erroneous views. Some go so far as denying the divinity of Christ due to their own faulty and blind interpretations.
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>>24118
>The Church dictates what is truth, the Church dictates what is the correct way to interpret the bible
This should be all you need to hear to know to stay away from Rome
>>24079 (OP) 
You should go out and talk with priests, elders, other followers, etc. Christianity in society is way different and it will give you perspective on all sorts of topics which you might not even have stood still with. Seek and you shall find.
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>>24079 (OP) 
>I've come to understand the secrets of the heavens and the earth
Prelest. Pray for humility.

>This world is a corrupt world and I do not have it in me to trust other people with a topic I view so delicately.
Say what you will about the world, but you cannot curl up in a shoebox until you die then try to declare that a life. Even those called to the monastic life share it with their brothers or sisters. If you are called to be a hermit then by all means do so, but do not claim the privileges of the hermit without paying a hermit’s dues. 

>I fear that I am pursuing the wrong path, there are countless years of history behind the churches, and they all fight one another over what is and isn't true.
You have Christ the Redeemer on your side. Your final judgement will be a compassionate one that takes your circumstances and heart into account. Therefore, go out into the world and do your best. Even churches within the same denomination will differ. Don’t be a little bitch about it: Find your church by shopping around.
>Jesus left a Church, and gave her the Holy Spirit to guide her. If you are separated as a lone sheep you are easy pickings for the prowler. 

This. Even if you have trouble getting along with people, there is growth in making an effort. In addition, once you have kids, you absolutely need to have them grow up among the people of God lest they are lost to globohomo well before puberty.
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